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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Swimming have named two teams to represent the country at the upcoming Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games and World Aquatics Junior Championships 2023 respectively.
The FISU World University Games are scheduled to take place from July 28 to August 8 in China while the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships are set for September 4 to 9 in Netanya, Israel.
Zimbabwe will be represented at both competitions.
US-based Nomvula Mjimba and Denilson Cyprianos will compete at the FISU World University Games. Zimbabwe swimming will be participating at the Games for the first time.
Joe Ricardo is the coach/manager for the team. The trio of Tori Dawe, Mikayla Makwabarara and Bjorn Mhlanga are up for competition at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships.
The championships will be staged in Netanya, Israel from September 4 to 9. They will be led by coach Masi Takaedza, who will double as the manager.
Zimbabwe Swimming chairperson Zanele Nkomazana said all the swimmers are already in preparation for their respective competitions.
“All swimmers are in full training and preparing for the competitions. Unfortunately, local pools are cold and this has been a big setback for our teams.
“Denilson (Cyprianos) is training for two big competitions and will swim back to back galas. He is looking good. Nomvula is struggling with a back injury but continues to work and hopefully she recovers soon. These two have a good chance of swimming good times,” said Nkomazana.
Cyprianos is also part of the team to compete at the World Aquatics Championships from July 14 to 30 in Fukuoka, Japan.
For the World Juniors, Nkomazana said it will present the upcoming swimmers with a platform to have a feel of competing at a higher level.
“This is a very important platform for the juniors to experience World Championships and to achieve their target goals.
“Being a World Aquatics approved event their times are very important for Paris 2024 Games and beyond. The girls are also in our Youth Olympic Games long list and are working towards the YOG (Youth Olympic Games) times.
“The Zimbabwe Swimming criteria was that swimmers had to achieve 650 points to participate in this meet. Bjorn achieved his time at the South Africa National Junior Championships. The technical committee decided to send up to three athletes should there be no qualifiers.
“(And) the next two on Aqua points were Tori then Mikayla,” said Nkomazana.
The Youth Olympic Games are set for 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.
Online Reporter